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Gov. Rick Scott of Florida has stepped into the fray over an offensive classroom exercise at Florida Atlantic University in which students were asked to stomp on a sheet of paper with “Jesus” written on it. According to reports by the Sun Sentinel and the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau, the Republican governor has written to the state university system’s chancellor asking for a report on the incident, how it was handled, and how the university will ensure that such an incident does not recur.

Florida Atlantic has repeatedly apologized for the incident.

The exercise, used in an intercultural-communications class at the university’s Davie campus, was based on an example in a study guide written by a professor who is unaffiliated with Florida Atlantic, the university said in a statement posted on its Web site on Tuesday. “Based on the offensive nature of the exercise, we will not use it again and have issued an apology to the community. It was insensitive and unacceptable. We continue to apologize to all the people who were offended and deeply regret this situation has occurred.”

The university also disputed reports that a student who complained about the exercise had been disciplined. “No students were forced to take part in the exercise,” the statement says. “The instructor told all of the students in the class that they could choose whether or not to participate. No students will be disciplined in any way related to this exercise, either inside or outside the classroom.”

But those assurances were not enough for Governor Scott. “Whether the student was reprimanded or whether an apology was given is in many ways inconsequential to the larger issue of a professor’s poor judgment,” he wrote in his letter to the chancellor. “The professor’s lesson was offensive, and even intolerant, to Christians and those of all faiths who deserve to be respected as Americans entitled to religious freedom.”

The saga concerning the Florida Atlantic University student who was suspended because he was uncomfortable with a professor’s assignment to stomp on a piece of paper bearing the word “Jesus” has taken still another bizarre turn.

The student, devout Mormon Ryan Rotela, now faces a litany of academic charges and may no longer attend class, reports Fox News Radio.

The allegations against the junior include “acts of verbal, written or physical abuse; threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion; or other conduct which threaten the health, safety or welfare of any person.”

Rotela’s attorney told Fox News that the professor, Deandre Poole (who is also the vice-chairman of the Palm Beach Democratic Party), may have felt threatened when Rotela said of the Jesus stomping, “Don’t do that again.”

Rotela also reportedly said, “You’ll be hearing from me.”

The “Notice of Charges” from Associate Dean Rozalia Williams also contains a violation of the student code of conduct.

“In the interim, you may not attend class or contact any of the students involved in this matter — verbally or electronically — or by any other means,” Williams told Rotela in a letter obtained by Fox News. “Please be advised that a Student Affairs hold may be placed on your records until final disposition of the complaint.”

FAU officials are having a terrible time keeping their story straight regarding this kerfuffle.

An FAU official initially defended the suspension, telling local CBS affiliate WPEC that the Jesus-stomping was part of a classroom exercise from a textbook, “Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach, 5th Edition.” (RELATED: Florida Atlantic Univ. student claims he was suspended for not stomping on Jesus [VIDEO])

“Have the students write the name JESUS in big letters on a piece of paper,” advises the manual. “After a brief period of silence, instruct them to step on the paper. Most will hesitate. Ask why they can’t step on the paper. Discuss the importance of symbols in culture.”

The FAU class in which the Jesus-stomping assignment occurred studied “intercultural communications.”

On Friday, FAU swore that no one was punished because of the assignment, and issued an apology. The public, taxpayer-funded school also said it won’t be using the assignment again. (RELATED: UPDATE: Florida Atlantic University apologizes for Jesus Stomping 101)

“We sincerely apologize for any offense this has caused,” the apology said. “Florida Atlantic University respects all religions and welcomes people of all faiths, backgrounds and beliefs.”

“We can confirm that no student has been expelled, suspended or disciplined by the University as a result of any activity that took place during this class.”

Rotela said he is troubled by FAU’s perpetually changing stance.

“The university has a huge problem with integrity,” he told Fox News. “They are tripping over their own words.”

As a letter writer said to O'Reilly, it's hard to stand up to someone who holds your GPA in their hand. It's typical bully tactics by the left and you know it. "Believe what I believe or I will fail you". It's nothing short of coercion. It's like the test blaming the U.S. for terrorism. Answer any other way then we are and the question is wrong.